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Rs 45 lakh: Powerful entry-level luxury car for a middle-aged man

22nd March 2022, 08:03 by Rahul Nagaraj

The new Skoda Superb has caught his attention, although he is looking at the BMW 3 Series as well.

BHPian brohanv recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I am posting this on behalf of a friend, I felt that could possibly be a predicament that many people experience when purchasing something indulgent towards the end of their years of service, so went ahead with posting this.

Understanding the buyer:

Middle-Class, Middle-aged Man who is not an enthusiast. Does enjoy powerful cars, but isn't happy dealing with their temperamental maintenance tendencies
Has worked his entire life as a provider and finally wants to reward himself with something at the end of his career
Has outrightly stated that his next automobile will be something European with the brand value of an Audi, Beamer and Mercedes. But the budget will permit only the very entry-level offerings.
Does appreciate the depth of design and engineering over gimmicks, one of the only cars that have ever grabbed his attention is the Skoda Superb.
Wanted to own an SUV his entire life, but no offerings this side of 25 lakhs were refined and liveable enough for his liking. (wasn't a fan of the XUV's looks)
THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO A POWERFUL MOTOR.
The car has to be fairly comfortable, the man has a very rough it out kind of mentality, so an opulent interior while nice to have is something compromise could be made on.
Annual running wouldn't be too high but it will be his primary car in cities, expressways and dual-carriageways.
Must be an Automatic
Flexible on fuel.
The budget would be between 30-45 lakhs.
He has experience driving the old Sumos, Qualis, Bolero Campers in the course of his service, which he enjoyed thoroughly, however, he says that he doesn't want something too large for the City. His usage will primarily be in Delhi-NCR with mostly wide roads and there will be a second smaller car in the household. While he may not state it outrightly, size is something that will tug on his heartstrings. The same old middle-class restraint as opposed to excess at play here.
Not open to pre-owned options.

Cars that somewhat fit the bill

Jeep Compass

Likes

Has liked the looks of the car since launch.
Powerful Motor and all-rounder capability.

Dislikes

But has no VFM quality and is a size too small.
The consensus on the A/T is that it's not necessarily the best
Doesn't fit the bill as an outright SUV or something as opulent as the germans, feels like a compromise on both ends.

Toyota Fortuner

Likes

Has been my recommendation for its combination of power, adequately capable AT, mile-munching capabilities and big-car aspiration value with small car maintenance.

Dislikes

Has no VFM quality, is overpriced and has choppy ride quality. Also feels like a compromise on the opulence front.
40 big ones for a Toyota?

Skoda Kodiaq & VW Tiguan

Likes

German build quality and finesse with an agreeable price tag.

Dislikes

The Tiguan lacks a sense of occasion with its stiff ride quality despite no fun to drive credentials and Skoda ASS is not really the last word in peace of mind.

BMW 330i Standard Wheel-Base

Likes

Despite overshooting the budget, it almost feels VFM due to its thoroughbred nature, brand pull, RWD, power and generally better ASS than competitors.

Dislikes

Price.

The Citroen looks a touch too quirky, that kind of dough will positively not be put down against a Hyundai, so the Tucson is also out. Skoda Superb is a little long in the tooth and unless there are great discounts available, putting down that kind of cash for an fwd A4 also doesn't seem like a fair transaction.

This would clearly be a much shorter conversation if the Endeavour 3.2 was still on sale in our market. Looking forward to hearing your recommendations.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

Top choices for your friend:
BMW 330i
Skoda Kodiaq (sold out for 2022)
Skoda Superb
Toyota Camry
All of these will keep him really happy.
And expensive! As the car ages, one spends 1 - 1.5 lakhs every year on the car. That's not even including the pricey insurance or higher running costs due to the lower FE + expensive tyres with a shorter life.

Here's what BHPian Samba had to say on the matter:

To add to your confusion, how about a Toyota Camry Hybrid! A powerful 215 Bhp D2 segment sedan that will return you a mileage of 16-18 km/L with Toyota reliability and fuss-free after-sales service!
Cons- You do not want to buy a pricey Toyota.
The Skoda Octavia won't disappoint you either, even if it's an FWD car!
Cons- You are not confident about Skoda's after-sales service.
From the list you provided, my pick will be the 330i, if it's out of your budget my second choice will be the Kodiaq followed by the Compass.
As going for off-road/rough road drives are not mentioned, the Fortuner can be ruled out.

Here's what BHPian lamborghini had to say on the matter:

I'd relook at the A4 too along with the other contenders & also have a look at the Skoda Octavia & BMW X1 (discounts should pick up with the all new X1 around the corner).
My shortlist would be:
Audi A4 - well priced, petrol so Delhi NCR 15 year rule wouldn't be an issue, good ride & handling balance mated to a decent 2.0TSi engine, and comfortable seating for the family (where the 3 could be a touch too low).
Don't let the FWD tag fool you: you wouldn't miss the RWD unless you're really pushing the car / enjoying launches and getting the tail out. The Premium Variant post discounts could be a great option and within budget too! With the 7 years extended warranty + host of competent independent mechanics in Delhi-NCR, I wouldn't be too worried about maintenance though one does have to keep an eye out for what actually needs to be done as compared to an over-inflated estimate - something even Maruti & Toyota are notorious for.
Toyota Camry Hybrid - Low maintenance, fully loaded, and safe choice. It won't have the German pedigree on the highway, but neither will it have the German compromises in the city: RFT ruining the ride, ultra low profile rubber that is prone to damage if not driven well, stiffer ride quality, etc. If he uses a chauffeur in the city, this could be a very good option!
Skoda Superb - As you said, he is someone who prefers practicality over an opulent interior + this car has grabbed his attention. It may be dated, and discounts are low - but it could be a great option to consider still!
Skoda Kodiaq L&K - Superb on stilts? If you're able to get the L&K trim despite the sold-out tag (cancelled booking, etc.), it's the one to go for. If not available, I would try the Tiguan out - do alter the tyre pressure to 33PSI and see: I'm quite ok with the ride on Bombay roads in the front seats.
Skoda Octavia - city-friendly size, Skoda practicality, and a new generation that will be around for a while at a price that undercuts your budget.
BMW 330i - expensive, but a good overall car. The only fly in the ointment for me was the lower seating but if it is a non-issue, you can't go wrong with it given BMW's excellent maintenance plans, explosive performance, etc.
BMW X1 - Honestly would pick up the 330i over the X1 but may get a deal on the car as it will be soon discontinued the new X1 coming in soon + SUV.
Just a point to note: with any German, an extended warranty is a must & once the extended warranty is over you need to shift to a good independent mechanic who can help out when needed irrespective of brands.
It's also key to review the estimate with an eagle eye as all companies add non-value-add items to inflate the bill. Heck Toyota once sent me an estimate for some manual gearshift lubrication for an Automatic Corolla!